It was an action of "gradual Taiwan independence," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a press conference held in Beijing.

"It undermines cross-Straits relations, and puts us on high alert," Liu said.

He stressed there is only one China in the world and both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to China.

It is reported that Taiwanese passports, which are currently marked in English as "the Republic of China," will have "Taiwan" added to the front.

These passports will be issued on September 1 after the current stock of passports is used up.

Taiwan "foreign minister" Eugene Chien said last Thursday the new passports would clear up confusion for both travelers and customs officials on "the Republic of China" and "the People's Republic of China."

"China's sovereignty and territory integrity allows for no separation," Liu said, adding Taiwan's attempt to seek separation and "Taiwan independence" will never succeed.

Liu said China hopes the international community respects China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and remains alert to Taiwan's attempts to split China.

Meanwhile, the central government of China has shown flexibility in agreeing that Taiwanese experts attend the World Health Organization meeting on SARS being held in Malaysia, the spokesman said.

Since Taiwan has been seriously affected by SARS, the central government has agreed that the five experts invited by the WHO can attend the meeting.

This decision demonstrates the central government's concern for the health and welfare of the Taiwanese people, as well as its flexibility and sincerity in dealing with technical issues, Liu said.

He said the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have various communication channels, and in the field of health and medicine, hundreds of groups and thousands of people engage in exchanges each year. The invitation to attend this meeting was made by the central government through such channels.

The Chinese delegation is being headed by Vice Minister of Health Gao Qiang, the spokesman said.

The two-day conference has attracted some 100 scientists and officials who have been on the front line in the fight against SARS.

When asked to comment on the Sino-Indian border situation, Liu said the border between China and India has been peaceful and stable in recent years thanks to joint efforts made by both sides.

The two sides are expected to discuss the border question during Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's upcoming visit to China, he said.

Liu expressed his belief that a fair solution can be found as long as the two sides follow the principles of consultations based on equality, mutual understanding and accommodation.

The steady growth of Sino-Indian ties has maintained a good momentum in recent years with a frequent exchange of high-level visits and continuous, intensified exchanges and cooperation in various fields, he said.

Meanwhile, Sino-Indian economic and trade ties have recorded a fairly rapid growth and both sides have cooperated closely in international affairs, he noted.

The Chinese side feels joyous over the healthy growth of Sino-Indian relations, he noted.

China and India are both large, developing countries, he acknowledged, saying that friendly cooperation between the two nations is in the fundamental interest of their peoples and conducive to regional and global peace and stability.

Moreover, Liu expressed his belief that Sino-Indian relations will continue to develop as long as the two sides adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, increase mutual trust, expand common consensus and strengthen cooperation.

The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Indian side to greatly strengthen cooperation in various fields and raise the constructive partnership of cooperation to a new level, the spokesman said.

Turning to Sino-US cooperation in non-proliferation, Liu said China and the United States enjoy great potential in this respect, and this potential can be tapped through detailed consultations.

Both sides share common interests in non-proliferation, Liu added.

China firmly opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and has taken many important measures in this regard, he said.

China advocates good cooperation among countries in this field, he noted.

At the press conference, the spokesman announced Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Greece, Britain and Portugal late this month.

Li is expected to meet with the Foreign Ministers of the Troika of the European Union (EU) in Athens and pay a visit to Greece from June 30 to July 1, at the invitation of George Papandreou, the Foreign Minister of Greece and the rotating president of EU.

Prior to the trip, from June 24 to June 29, Li will pay an official visit to the UK and Portugal at the invitation of Foreign Secretary of the UK Jack Straw, and Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz.

Liu expressed his belief that Li's visit to Europe will enhance exchanges and cooperation between China and European countries.

During his visit, Li will meet with the leaders of the three nations and exchange views with their foreign ministers on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, the spokesman said.

China believes the visit will promote mutual understanding between China and Europe and further boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation in every field, Liu added.

Liu said China speaks highly of the relations between China and the EU, Britain, Portugal and Greece, adding that bilateral cooperation in every field has been fruitful.

Commenting on a French proposal to send peacekeeping forces to the Middle East, Liu said China welcomes and supports all initiatives and efforts conducive to security and stability in the region.

"Safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East is the responsibility and obligation of the international community," Liu said.

Liu noted that China hopes the parties concerned will adopt flexible attitudes on this issue, show sincerity and implement the roadmap plan for the Middle East at an early date.

In response to the criticism by Ruud Lubbers, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, of China's handling of illegal immigrants from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Liu said that China sticks to both international and domestic law in dealing with them.

(Sources from Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, June 18, 2003)